WEL congratulates the Prime Minister on his 8 August announcement of a 15% wage rise for early childhood educators and carers from December 2024 - December 2025.

These pay rises will be fully funded by the Federal Government on condition that centres agree to limit fee increases to 4.4% over the year. We understand that pay increases are likely to be enhanced once the Fair Work Commission completes its review of wages in the caring professions in mid-2025.

WEL has long advocated for substantial pay increases for early childhood education and care workers as well as other workers in the care sector. WEL’s 2022 Policy Platform demanded a universal system of free early education and care underpinned by ‘Government action to boost pay, conditions, professional recognition and career pathways for early childhood educators and teachers’.

Acute shortages of ECEC educators due to low pay and limited career progression are a contributor to limited childcare availability, especially in rural and regional areas where there are ‘childcare deserts’.

WEL hopes that the 8 August announcement is a prelude to the Government’s commitment to a universal early childhood education and care system.

In the Draft Report of its Inquiry into Early Childhood Education and Care, the Productivity Commission noted that ‘a universal ECEC system means making quality services accessible to all children and families. Achieving a universal system will require tackling availability, affordability and inclusion gaps’. 

The final Report of the Productivity Commission was handed to the Australian Government on 28 June 2024 but has not yet been released though the Government is required to table the report in each House of the Parliament within 25 sitting days of receipt. WEL’s expectation is that the Government will endorse the recommendations of the final Report, leading to a universal early childhood education and care system.